Newcastle BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course is links underpinning theory to clinical practice at all levels making it a fully integrated course.

  

Based in Newcastle Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry, which opened in 2016, you will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities and innovative teaching and learning methods. You will train and work alongside practicing clinicians and other members of the dental team on a daily basis. An important component in fostering the team approach to dentistry.

Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists work closely with other members of the Dental team and are able to carry out preventive and periodontal treatments for adults and children. Carrying out a variety of treatments on a wide range of patients including fillings, radiographs and impressions, Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists are also able to extract deciduous teeth, undertake pulpotomies and place preformed crowns on children’s teeth.

From the outset you will be encouraged and supported to become an independent and self-motivated learner. Our curriculum empowers you to develop lifelong skills in self-development and patient management. Precision and hand/eye coordination, communication skills and an empathic approach to patient care are essential qualities in a Dental Hygienisty and Therapist.

This integrated programme, approved by the General Dental Council, leads to a qualification in both Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy. It is a collaborative programme which is delivered by the Newcastle School of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, which is part of the Newcastle Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and is validated by the University of Newcastle, via the collaborative agreement.

 

First year

In dental hygiene, clinical practice is a major component of the early part of the programme, preparing you for seeing your first patient in the second term in your first year. Professionalism is introduced in year one and is embedded in all teaching throughout the course.

The Biomedical Sciences and Oral Health Promotion modules prepare you to study disease, patient management, and health education later on in the programme. You will begin to learn about law and ethics in dentistry and how to manage dental decay by restoring teeth on phantom heads in the laboratory.

Clinical work on patients begins as early as the second term. 

   

Second year

Building on experience gained in the first year, you will be continuing to manage your own list of patients and gaining confidence and competence in clinical skills. You will learn applied pharmacology, general pathology and dental radiography, along with the specialities of paediatric dentistry and the management of periodontal diseases.

In addition you will begin to restore teeth for patients on clinic.

Clinical placements in the second and third year take place within the West Midlands and broaden your experience in treating patients.

    

Third year

In your final year, clinical placements (including outreach) prepare you for life after graduation. Integrated clinical practice combines the dental hygiene and therapy skills into holistic patient care. You will also undertake research and critical appraisal of published literature, relevant to your studies.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Dental Hygiene and Therapy BSc

Course Level:

Undergraduate, Single Honours

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U454

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (3 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Modules in the first year

In dental hygiene, clinical practice is a major component of the early part of the programme, preparing you for seeing your first patient in the second term in your first year. Professionalism is introduced in year one and is embedded in all teaching throughout the course.

  • 10 credits – Professionalism
  • 30 credits – Biomedical Sciences
  • 10 credits – Dentistry in Society
  • 10 credits – Oral Health Promotion and Education
  • 40 credits – Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice
  • 20 credits – Introduction to Adult Restorative Dentistry

Modules in the second year

Building on experience gained in the first year, you will be continuing to manage your own list of patients and gaining confidence and competence in clinical skills.

  • 40 credits – Adult Restorative Dentistry Theory and Clinical Practice
  • 40 credits – Periodontal Diseases Theory and Clinical Practice
  • 10 credits – Applied Pharmacology and Pain and Anxiety Control
  • 10 credits – Dental Radiography
  • 20 credits – Paediatric Dentistry
  • Non-credit bearing – Professionalism Portfolio (Required Element)

Modules in the third year

In your final year, clinical placements (including outreach) prepare you for life after graduation. Integrated clinical practice combines the dental hygiene and therapy skills into holistic patient care.

  • 90 credits – Integrated Clinical Practice
  • 30 credits – Research Project
  • Non-credit bearing – Professionalism Portfolio (Required Element)

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

On qualification you will be eligible to apply for entry to the General Dental Councils register for Dental Care Professionals. 

Our Dental and Hygiene Therapy graduates work in general dental practice, salaried dental practice and in hospitals, where they work closely with other members of the Dental team. There are good opportunities for full-time, part-time and flexible working hours. There is a post-qualification vocational training scheme available in the West Midlands for selected applicants.

Our unique careers guidance service, Careers Network, is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

We also offer voluntary work which complements your studies by helping you gain practical experiences in occupational settings while contributing back to society. This can bring new skills that will be useful throughout your future and can make a positive impact on your learning whilst at university. Volunteering enables you to develop skills such as communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork, self-confidence and self-discipline all of which can be transferred into your studies.